£3.3m to help at-risk children

The project aims to support children in school

Vulnerable and disadvantage children across Oxfordshire are being helped with a £3.3m government grant aimed at preventing social exclusion.

The Children's Fund aims to support children at risk of anti-social behaviour, as well as children who are disadvantaged or excluded as a result of disability, behavioural difficulties, cultural differences or isolation.

The project, launched on Monday, not only hopes to provide children with fun activities such as dancing, music and holiday play schemes, but will give them drugs information and support in school.

Specific areas of the county will receive help, including Neithrop in Banbury, Bicester and south Abingdon, as well as isolated rural areas through mobile services.

Penny Faust, Independent Chairperson of the Children's Fund Partnership Board, said: "The four aims adopted by the Oxfordshire Children's Fund - make it fun, make it safe, make it ours, support and include us - were shaped by children and young people.

"Although our funding is limited, we hope to be able to make a real difference, over the next three years, to the lives of children at risk or in need in Oxfordshire."